Xavi, Ronaldinho at his best, Messi, Deco and Iniesta? Oh and they were defending Champions League winners at the time.

That whole team was based around Ronnie. Messi was awesome then but nowhere near where he is now. Keep in mind he was only 19. Xavi wasn't the same player he was before he pwnd at the Euros and their midfield was a completely different shape and played a totally different style. That team was much more attacking and direct. With that being said, the Barca team of today would whip that team.

That whole team was based around Ronnie. Messi was awesome then but nowhere near where he is now. Keep in mind he was only 19. Xavi wasn't the same player he was before he pwnd at the Euros and their midfield was a completely different shape and played a totally different style. That team was much more attacking and direct. With that being said, the Barca team of today would whip that team.

I'm not so sure! If anything, the team from the mid 2000's was a bit more dangerous. Teams have shown that you can stop Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea especially. They do tend to try and walk the ball into the net at times. When they had Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho up front, well personally I believe that is better than Messi as a number 9, Sanchez and Pedro.

As for the midfield, Xavi has always been beyond class. I don't believe he's a better player now than he was then, he just never misses a pass, he didn't as a 25 year, he doesn't now and he probably wouldn't if he was still playing at the age of 70. Iniesta is better now than he was, sure, but he was a hell of a player back then too. Deco and Busquets are a different kind of player, but people seem to forget just how good Deco was at Porto and Barcelona.

I'm not so sure! If anything, the team from the mid 2000's was a bit more dangerous. Teams have shown that you can stop Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea especially. They do tend to try and walk the ball into the net at times. When they had Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho up front, well personally I believe that is better than Messi as a number 9, Sanchez and Pedro.

As for the midfield, Xavi has always been beyond class. I don't believe he's a better player now than he was then, he just never misses a pass, he didn't as a 25 year, he doesn't now and he probably wouldn't if he was still playing at the age of 70. Iniesta is better now than he was, sure, but he was a hell of a player back then too. Deco and Busquets are a different kind of player, but people seem to forget just how good Deco was at Porto and Barcelona.

It seems to me that the kind of passes he plays changes greatly as he ages. He's still the brain of the team, but he doesn't really try those 20-30 yard passes anymore. His position has changed greatly but not his role in the team or in the overall tactical scheme since then. Kind of a head trip of you think about it. The same could be said of Messi, although not as much.

And Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho/Henry as a forward 3 was always, and will always be better than Barca's current forward three. Sanchez is good but Pedro is ***** I think.

Another good result for Spurs today. Looking forward to the Chelsea game and seeing how AVB/the players approach this. Interesting times at the Lane right now.

This is why I don't like International football, Chelsea v Spurs should be incredible! Instead we have to wait an extra week so we can see England play San Marino? Hmm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breaker

I don't know why he keeps on doing it, referee's aren't giving him penalties when they should be at the moment. Does he think they will give him one for a dive?

Drogba got alot of stick for diving, but the combination of Mourinho having a word and him maturing meant it stopped before it got out of hand. The situation with Suarez seems to be getting worse, it's doing him more harm than anything.

Having said that, I didn't like Pulis coming out calling for a ban. He's been doing that alot lately, he wanted Ivanovic, Oscar and Luiz banned after the game a few weeks ago. He's a manager, surely the things he says about opponents is worthy of some kind of punishment in itself?

This is why I don't like International football, Chelsea v Spurs should be incredible! Instead we have to wait an extra week so we can see England play San Marino? Hmm.

Quoted for truth, Fena... my, how we can all hardly wait eh?

What a cracking game in store though re Spurs V Chelsea. You know both teams and sets of management won't need any extra motivation here. A good showing by the team in white may even bring to an end the lingering bad vibes aimed at AVB (which in fairness is mainly due to the continual press goading and stirring).

PED - Your boys are looking very damn good to me (mainly down to Bould, according to my AFC mates LOL)... Cazorla (one of the best buys of the season for anyone, no?) and Arteta are doing the business... how do you rate the team at present?

^^It's a great season all around I think for all of us (especially Fena)

I like Brendan Rogers but what was he thinking letting Carroll go out on loan. He terrifies me, what a battering ram he was.

I was quite happy with the result as a similar game against QPR and Bobby Zamora didn't end so well last season.

Looking forward to Wilshire coming back. Who would have thought Mertesacker would be so solid after his shaky start.

The one guy I really like is Giroud, he has the most assists of any Gunner this year and he's starting slow but like Rudd v N at Utd, he has a nose for being in the right spot and that will pay off. Plus being 6ft4 doesn't hurt in the PL.

Have to say I got a good laugh from Saturday's Mirror headline saying Arsene was thinking of Falcao......hell, AW wouldn't spend that on 4 players, let alone one...lol

This is why I don't like International football, Chelsea v Spurs should be incredible! Instead we have to wait an extra week so we can see England play San Marino? Hmm.

I don't know why he keeps on doing it, referee's aren't giving him penalties when they should be at the moment. Does he think they will give him one for a dive?

Drogba got alot of stick for diving, but the combination of Mourinho having a word and him maturing meant it stopped before it got out of hand. The situation with Suarez seems to be getting worse, it's doing him more harm than anything.

Having said that, I didn't like Pulis coming out calling for a ban. He's been doing that alot lately, he wanted Ivanovic, Oscar and Luiz banned after the game a few weeks ago. He's a manager, surely the things he says about opponents is worthy of some kind of punishment in itself?

Yeah Pulis needs to stop talking, don't see him complaining when his group of thugs go out every week to elbow/stamp the opposition or when Crouch decides he's playing basketball and throws the ball in the back of the net he pulls a Wenger and says he didn't see it.

What a cracking game in store though re Spurs V Chelsea. You know both teams and sets of management won't need any extra motivation here. A good showing by the team in white may even bring to an end the lingering bad vibes aimed at AVB (which in fairness is mainly due to the continual press goading and stirring).

I'm surprised you're looking forward to it so much, surely a hammering is nothing to be excited about?

Guess Falcao to Chelsea is actually going to happen, title to Stamford Bridge it is then.

Lets not forget what happened with Aguero, both the player and agent were talking about the move like it was a formality, but it didn't happen in the end.

I also don't think it will happen in January, they will sell, but if it does happen i'd guess at it being over the summer. Man City might of sold Dzeko and Balotelli by then aswell, in which case, Falcao will end up with them.

Lets not forget what happened with Aguero, both the player and agent were talking about the move like it was a formality, but it didn't happen in the end.

I also don't think it will happen in January, they will sell, but if it does happen i'd guess at it being over the summer. Man City might of sold Dzeko and Balotelli by then aswell, in which case, Falcao will end up with them.

Yeah it seems he's off to City, Chelsea it appears don't want to fork over 80 million for him, City will have sold off Balo for sure and Dzeko will probably leave too, though Dzeko deserves to stay. Price isn't a barrier for them so it seems that they're the only ones willing to drop 80 million him, Chelsea's last few mega-signings in the striker position haven't gone to plan, so they're probably a bit weary to drop that kind of cash, no matter how good he is.

Yeah it seems he's off to City, Chelsea it appears don't want to fork over 80 million for him, City will have sold off Balo for sure and Dzeko will probably leave too, though Dzeko deserves to stay. Price isn't a barrier for them so it seems that they're the only ones willing to drop 80 million him, Chelsea's last few mega-signings in the striker position haven't gone to plan, so they're probably a bit weary to drop that kind of cash, no matter how good he is.

The price isn't a problem, it's Ģ46 Million (his release clause). Abramovich is willing to pay that and his club want to sell to ease their debts.

The only problem would be City, if they do sell Balotelli and Dzeko, a striker would be needed. I think it depends on what happens this season, if Chelsea go deep in the Champions League again and maybe make a real push for the title, whilst playing this new, high pressing, the front players all moving with freedom, pretty passing etc.. type of football, then we could be a more attractive option to Man City.

Obviously if they win the league again and do something in Europe, the wages they can offer will be hard to turn down. I think them getting out of their Champions League group could be huge, they have had two tough groups, but to not make it through for 2 seasons in a row, it will certainly be something top players who want to win things will look at.